“The Art of Listening – Communicating effectively with a Patient in Pain”

Dr. Wolvin is Professor and Chairman of the University of Maryland Department of Communication and a Senior Fellow in the James McGregor Burns Leadership Academy, where he teaches courses in public speaking, speechwriting, and listening behavior. He is also a visiting professor at Cornell University. Named one of the top 100 active researchers in communication studies, Professor Wolvin has published several books, research studies, and essays on public speaking. He is a former President of the International Listening Association and the Eastern Communication Association, and has held several offices in the National Communication Association. A Lilly Teaching Fellow, Professor Wolvin also works as a professional speech coach, and has been an anchor on the UMTV cable channel. He received a National Communication Association Teaching/Learning Scholar award and the first Outstanding Teacher award from the International Listening Association. The International Association recently honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his extensive research on listening behavior.

Prashant Verma, DDS, MS, FAGD

“Pain Management Strategies for Severely Symptomatic Teeth”

Dr. Prashant Verma received his DDS from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in California, a Certificate in Endodontics and Masters in Oral Biology from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in Baltimore. Dr. Verma practiced as a general dentist in San Francisco for two years before pursuing specialty training in Endodontics. During his residency, he received the Sherril Ann Siegel Memorial Endodontic Research Fellowship and the Tony Michael Ponti Memorial Award for excellence in clinical Endodontics from the University of Maryland. Dr. Verma is board-certified by the American Board of Endodontics. He is in full-time private practice limited to Endodontics, and is a part-time Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Division of Endodontics. He is a former Assistant Professor of Restorative Dentistry at University of the Pacific Dental School in San Francisco. He is an active member of the American Association of Endodontists and the American Dental Association. He has served on the Practice Affairs Committee of the AAE, served as President-Elect of the Howard County Dental Society, completed the Diversity in Leadership Institute program at the ADA, and earned Fellowship in the AGD.

Edward J. Strittmatter Jr., DDS

“What I Miss and Don’t Miss in my Retirement”

Dr. Edward J. Strittmatter, Jr. received his BA in 1974 and DDS in 1978 from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He received his Certificate in Endodontics in 1987, following his residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. In addition to practicing Endodontics, Dr. Strittmatter has served as a mentor in the Endodontic Residency Program at the Naval Dental School in Bethesda, Maryland and he has been a consultant to the 18th Medical Command. In 1990, Dr. Strittmatter was certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Endodontics. Dr. Strittmatter has been recognized with numerous awards from the Army, Navy and Armed Forces Reserve, including the “A” Designator presented by the Army Surgeon General and the Military Order of Medical Merit.

Ali Nosrat, DDS, MS, MDS

“Use of New Technologies in Exploring Complicated Root Canal Anatomy”

Dr. Ali Nosrat received his DDS and MDS in Endodontics from Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dr. Nosrat is board-certified by the American Board of Endodontics. He is a part-time Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. He is a former Assistant Professor of Endodontics at Rafsanjan Dental School in Iran and a member of Iranian Center for Endodontic Research (ICER). Dr. Nosrat is an active member of the American Association of Endodontics and has served on the Regenerative Endodontics committee of the AAE. Dr. Nosrat practiced as an Endodontist in Tehran for four years and earned board certification in Endodontics before coming to the United States. Dr. Nosrat then completed his second Endodontic residency training and MS in Oral Biology from the University of Maryland in Baltimore. He received the Tony Michael Ponti Memorial Award from the University of Maryland, which is presented to one graduating senior for excellence in clinical Endodontics. Thus far, Dr. Nosrat has published twenty-five scholarly articles and his publications have been cited more than 650 times.

Brian August, B.A., MBA

“Business of Healthcare: The Missing Manual”

Brian earned a B.A. at Cornell University and an MBA at The University of Maryland University College. He is an entrepreneur, investor, and business executive specializing in driving operational improvements for medical practices, improving management effectiveness and increasing operating margins. He has an eye for balancing the fiscal needs of a company while improving internal processes, leading to greater returns on invested capital. In 2010, Brian led a team that acquired a poorly run, money-losing medical practice. As CEO and majority owner of the company, Brian and his team turned the company into one of the largest multi-location, single-specialty practices in the Mid-Atlantic. During that time he also started and ran Advanced Medical Management Solutions, a company specializing in designing and developing custom medical software to meet the specific business management and intelligence needs of complex medical practices. Prior to his time learning the challenges of the medical world, Brian was the Managing Member and majority owner of a boutique investment company specializing in the financing and acquiring of small to medium sized business. He has also served as CFO and Director of Business Development of various multimillion dollar companies in the Metro DC area.